Added 10 October 2026
canon
/ˈkæn.ən/ noun
Latin root: canōn Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about canon at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy.
the neoclassical canon
- A priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter.
- A ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall.
Origin
From Middle English canoun, from Old French canon and Old English canon, both from Latin canōn, from Ancient Greek κανών (kanṓn, “measuring rod, standard”), akin to κάννα (kánna, “reed”), from Semitic (compare Hebrew קָנֶה (qane, “reed”) and Arabic قَنَاة (qanāh, “reed”)). Doublet of qanun. See also cane, cannon, canyon, canal.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)